#48 -o-soar 21 June 2020

Status and composition of avifauna in Kurud Dam, Raipur District - Chhattisgarh,

Chhattisgarh state bears tropical climate with its relevant flora and fauna. This state is amply studded with numerous water bodies, tanks, and ponds, with the major river basin being Mahanadi for the central plains, Hasdeo River basin for northern hilly range, and Godavari River basin for Dandkaranya hills in south.

Kurud Dam. The available works had revealed 246 avian in central region of Chhattisgarh, 429 species in Chhattisgarh (Bharos 2017), Bharos and Sahu (2002), (Bharos 2018), Bharos et al. (2019), Chandra & Singh (2004).

Kurud Dam has been the hunting ground for game lovers in the past, but at present,

it is a prime spot for bird watchers and Threat. photographers. With commensuration to the type of available habitats, variety of aquatic Methods and grass & arboreal bird species occur in The study site was visited for amateur bird good numbers. Despite this fact, this site watching since 2007, the observed bird and its avian species remains undocumented. species were only listed in our field diaries. To fill this gap, this study was undertaken and We noticed high species composition and is the first attempt to highlight the avifauna congregation of resident as well as migratory of Kurud dam, being an important wetland in species. This prompted us to take up serious the central plains of Chhattisgarh. studies.

Study Area Hence, since October 2015 more intensive The particulars of the study area the Kurud study was undertaken to fill up the lacuna of Dam are tabulated in Table 2, Fig.1. avian documentation from Kurud Dam. Field

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Figure 1. Location of Kurud Dam.

Surrounding Habitat. Adjacent Agri field.

surveys were aptly designed and intensively Binoculars (Olympus 8-16 X 40) and cameras conducted in all three seasons viz. winter, (CANON DSLR 7D & CANON SX60HS) summer, and monsoon, from October 2015 were deployed for observing and obtaining to December 2019. The study was carried the images of species encountered. The out at different hours of the day invariably identification was confirmed following Ali & between 6–10am and 3–6pm to obtain Ripley (1987), Grimmett et.al. (1998, 2014), maximum prudent outcome. We collected Rahmani (2008), Rasmussen & Anderton observations by Look and See method (2012). Difficult species were identified by (Bibby et al.1992) at pre-determined points, members of BNHS-ENVIS. following Point Count method (Javed & Kaul 2002) by noting direct sightings of the , Roosting hours in the evening and early walking along the shoreline to collect bird morning hours of congregation of birds were observations. The study was conducted observed to determine the species and their in a gap of every fortnight invariably, and roost, along with utilization of the habitat at observations were collected as and when and near the dam. We encountered more possible. bird species in the roosting (evening) hours

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 6 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA Habitat Food Habits Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Granivorous Granivorous Granivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Omnivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC NT VU IUCN Status R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M M M M M M M M M Status Resident Scientific name javanica Dendrocygna Anser indicus Netta rufina ferina Aythya nyroca Aythya fuligula Aythya Spatula querquedula Spatula clypeata strepera Mareca Anas poecilorhyncha Anas acuta Anas crecca Sarkidiornis melanotos Nettapus coromandelianus coturnix Coturnix coromandelica Francolinus pondicerianus ruficollis Tachybaptus Podiceps cristatus Columba livia decaocto Streptopelia senegalensis Streptopelia asiaticus Cypsiurus balasiensis Apus affinis sinensis Centropus English name Lesser Whistling Duck Goose Bar-headed Pochard Red-crested Common Pochard Ferruginous Duck Duck Tufted Garganey Northern Shoveler Gadwall Indian Spot-billed Duck Northern Pintail Common Teal Comb Duck Cotton Teal Common Rain Quail Francolin Grey Little Grebe Grebe Crested Great Rock Pigeon Dove Eurasian Collared Laughing Dove Indian Asian Palm Swift Indian House Swift Coucal Greater Family Anatidae Podicipedidae Columbidae Caprimulgidae Apodidae Cuculidae Order Anseriformes Phoenicopteriformes Columbiformes Cuculiformes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Table 1. Birds of Kurud Dam, Chhattisgarh. 1. Birds Table

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 7 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 A NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA GA GA GA Habitat Food Habits Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Omnivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC NT IUCN Status R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M M Status Resident Scientific name Clamator jacobinus Eudynamys scolopaceus varius Hierococcyx Rallina eurizonoides Zapornia fusca Zapornia akool Amaurornis phoenicurus Porphyrio porphyrio Fulica atra Mycteria leucocephala Anastomus oscitans Ciconia nigra Ciconia episcopus sinensis Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Ixobrychus flavicollis Nycticorax nycticorax Butorides striata grayii Ardeola Bubulcus ibis cinerea Ardea purpurea Ardea alba Ardea intermedia Ardea garzetta Egretta melanocephalus Threskiornis Platalea leucorodia English name Pied Cuckoo Common Hawk Cuckoo Slaty-legged Crake Crake Ruddy-breasted Crake Brown Waterhen White-breasted Purple Swamphen Common Coot Painted Stork Asian Openbill Black Stork Stork Woolly-necked Yellow Cinnamon Bittern Black Bittern Night Black-crowned Striated Heron Indian Pond Heron Cattle Egret Heron Grey Purple Heron Egret Great Intermediate Egret Little Egret Black-headed Ibis Eurasian Spoonbill Family Cuculidae Rallidae Ciconiidae Ardeidae Threskiornithidae Order Cuculiformes Gruiformes 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 8 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Habitat Food Habits Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC NT NT NT IUCN Status R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M Status Resident Scientific name Pseudibis papillosa niger Microcarbo carbo Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Phalacrocorax Anhinga melanogaster Himantopus himantopus Pluvialis squatarola Pluvialis fulva Charadrius dubius Charadrius alexandrinus Charadrius mongolus malarbaricus Vanellus indicus Vanellus Rostratula benghalensis chirurgus Hydrophasianus Metopidius indicus Numenius phaeopus Numenius arquata Limosa lapponica Limosa limosa interpres Arenaria Calidris pugnax Calidris ferruginea Calidris temminckii Calidris alba Calidris alpina Calidris minuta English name Indian Black Ibis Little Cormorant Cormorant Great Indian Cormorant Oriental Black-winged Stilt Plover Grey Pacific Golden Plover Little Ringed Plover Kentish Plover Lesser Sand Plover Lapwing Yellow-wattled Red-wattled Lapwing Painted-snipe Greater Pheasant-tailed Jacana Jacana Bronze-winged Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Godwit Bar-tailed Black-tailed Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Ruff Curlew Sandpiper Stint Temminck’s Sanderling Dunlin Little Stint Family Threskiornithidae Phalacrocoracidae Anhingidae Recurvirostridae Charadriidae Rostratulidae Jacanidae Scolopacidae Order Pelecaniformes 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 9 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA Habitat Food Habits Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Carnivorous/ Piscivorous Carnivorous/ Piscivorous Carnivorous/ Piscivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC NT NT VU VU IUCN Status R R R R R M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M Status Resident Scientific name Gallinago gallinago Xenus cinereus Actitis hypoleucos ochropus Tringa erythropus Tringa nebularia Tringa totanus Tringa glareola Tringa stagnatilis Tringa suscitator Turnix coromandelicus lactea Glareola Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus Gelochelidon nilotica Chlidonias hybrida Sterna aurantia Rynchops albicollis Pandion haliaetus Elanus caeruleus Clanga hastata spilonotus Circus macrourus Circus melanoleucos Circus pygargus Circus Accipiter badius English name Common Snipe Sandpiper Terek Common Sandpiper Sandpiper Green Spotted Redshank Common Greenshank Common Redshank Sandpiper Wood Marsh Sandpiper Buttonquail Barred Indian Little Pratincole Gull Brown-headed Gull-billed Tern Tern Whiskered River Tern Indian Skimmer Osprey Black-winged Kite Indian Spotted Eagle Eastern Marsh Pallid Harrier Pied Harrier Harrier Montagu’s Shikra Family Scolopacidae Turnicidae Laridae Pandionidae Order Charadriiformes 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 10 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 NA NA NA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA Habitat Food Habits Omnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Frugivorous Insectivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Frugivorous Frugivorous Insectivorous Omnivorous Carnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Carnivorous Omnivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC IUCN Status R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M M Status Resident Scientific name Milvus migrans Butastur teesa alba Tyto Athene brama birostris Ocyceros Upupa epops Jynx torquilla Psilopogon haemacephalus orientalis Merops Coracias benghalensis Alcedo atthis Ceryle rudis Halcyon smyrnensis Falco tinnunculus Psittacula eupatria Psittacula krameri Coracina javensis Oriolus oriolus pondicerianus Tephrodornis Aegithina tiphia Dicrurus macrocercus cristatus Lanius isabellinus Lanius vittatus Lanius schach Lanius excubitor splendens English name Black Kite White-eyed Buzzard Common Barn Owl Spotted Owlet Hornbill Indian Grey Common Hoopoe Northern Wryneck Coppersmith Barbet Bee-eater Green Common Kingfisher Pied Kingfisher Kingfisher White-throated Common Kestrel Alexandrine Parakeet Rose-ringed Parakeet Cuckooshrike Large Eurasian Golden Oriole Common Woodshrike Common Iora Black Drongo Brown Isabelline Shrike Bay-backed Shrike Long-tailed Shrike Shrike Grey Great House Crow Family Accipitridae Tytonidae Strigidae Bucerotidae Upupidae Picidae Ramphastidae Meropidae Coraciidae Alcedinidae Falconidae Psittaculidae Campephagidae Oriolidae Vangidae Aegithinidae Dicruridae Laniidae Order Accipitriformes Strigiformes Bucerotiformes Piciformes Coraciiformes Falconiformes Psittaciformes 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 11 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 NA NA NA NA NA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA Habitat Food Habits Omnivorous Insectivorous Nectarivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Granivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Granivorous Granivorous Granivorous Granivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC IUCN Status R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M M M M M M M M M M Status Resident Scientific name Corvus macrorhynchos paradisi Terpsiphone Cinnyris asiaticus Ploceus philippinus amandava malabarica punctulata Lonchura malacca Passer domesticus Anthus richardi Anthus rufulus Anthus campestris Motacilla flava Motacilla cinerea Motacilla citreola Motacilla maderaspatensis Motacilla alba erythrina Granativora bruniceps Granativora melanocephala Emberiza buchanani Ammomanes phoenicura griseus Eremopterix Mirafra cantillans Mirafra erythroptera brachydactyla Calandrella English name Crow Large-billed Indian Paradise-flycatcher Purple Sunbird Red Munia Munia Scaly-breasted Black-headed Munia House Sparrow Pipit Richard’s Paddyfield Pipit Pipit Tawny Wagtail Yellow Western Wagtail Grey Citrine Wagtail Wagtail White-browed White Wagtail Common Rosefinch Red-headed Bunting Black-headed Bunting Bunting Grey-necked Rufous-tailed Lark Sparrow Ashy-crowned Lark Singing Bushlark Indian Bushlark Short-toed Lark Greater Family Corvidae Monarchidae Nectariniidae Ploceidae Passeridae Motacillidae Fringillidae Emberizidae Alaudidae Order Psittaciformes 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158

Zoo’s Print Vol. 35 | No. 6 12 #48 Bird-o-soar 21 June 2020 GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA Habitat Food Habits Omnivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Frugivorous Insectivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Omnivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous Insectivorous LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC VU IUCN Status R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M M M M M M M M Status Resident Scientific name Alauda arvensis Cisticola juncidis socialis Prinia inornata Orthotomus sutorius Chaetornis striata Iduna caligata dumetorum Acrocephalus agricola Acrocephalus stentoreus Acrocephalus fluvicola Petrochelidon daurica Cecropis Hirundo smithii Hirundo rustica Pycnonotus cafer Phylloscopus collybita Chrysomma sinense Dumetia hyperythra malcolmi Argya caudata Argya Pastor roseus Gracupica contra pagodarum tristis Acridotheres Saxicoloides fulicatus Copsychus saularis Muscicapa dauurica English name Eurasian Skylark Zitting Cisticola Ashy Prinia Plain Prinia Common Tailorbird Bristled Grass Warbler Booted Warbler Reed Warbler Blyth’s Warbler Paddyfield Reed Warbler Clamorous Swallow Streak-throated Red-rumped Swallow Swallow Wire-tailed Barn Swallow Red-vented Bulbul Common Chiffchaff Babbler Yellow-eyed Babbler Tawny-bellied Babbler Grey Large Common Babbler Rosy Asian Pied Starling Brahminy Starling Indian Robin Oriental Robin Flycatcher Asian Brown Family Alaudidae Locustellidae Acrocephalidae Hirundinidae Pycnonotidae Phylloscopidae Sylviidae Timaliidae Leiothrichidae Sturnidae Muscicapidae Order Psittaciformes 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185

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Red Avadavat. LC LC LC LC LC LC IUCN Status R R M M M M Status Resident

Migratory Birds. Scientific name Luscinia svecica Ficedula parva Phoenicurus ochruros maurus Saxicola caprata Oenanthe fusca English name Bluethroat Flycatcher Red-breasted Black Redstart Siberian Stonechat Pied Bushchat Rock Chat Brown

Montagu’s Harrier. Family Muscicapidae Order Psittaciformes 186 187 188 189 190 191

Resident Status: R - Resident, M - Migratory. IUCN Categories: VU - Vulnerable, NT - Near Threatened, LC - Least Concern. Habitat: A - Aquatic, NA Near GA Grass and NT - Near Threatened, IUCN Categories: VU - Vulnerable, Resident Status: R - Resident, M Migratory. Arborial. Blue Throat.

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Table 2. Description of the study area.

Particulars Details Remarks 1 Location In Arang Tehsil of Raipur dist., 20 Km east from Raipur (21.264722220’N & 81.7850000 E), 304m amsl, on Kolhan nalah, a subsidiary drainage pattern of river Mahanadi. 2 Surface area About 200 Ha, Maximum depth 5m. Source of water mainly rainfall 3 Weather Summer temp. 430-450C, winter 80-100C. 4 Purpose Mainly irrigation but also commercial use. 5 Environment Open plains in south, cultivation in the east, Human settlement in west and north, Dairy farm, poultry farm and minor industrial, commercial establishments and domestic use. 6 Attraction for Effluent from dairy farm flows into shallow water area, a Attract variety of avian birds favourite particularly for waders, old ruins for owls. Small species groove and plantation for arboreal species and open plains for ground and grass species.

Table 3. The IUCN categories of the species recorded at the study area (IUCN Red data list).

Category Species recorded Vulnerable (VU) 4 species Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis, Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga hastate, Bristled Grass Warbler Chaetornis striata. Near Threatened (NT) 7 species namely Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, River Tern Sterna aurantia, Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus. Least Concern 180 species as in Table 1.

Table 4. List of the passerby species recorded at the study area.

Category Species Waders Grey Plover (Black-bellied Plover) Pluvialis squatarola, Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus, Ruff Philomachus pugnax, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva, Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Sanderling Calidris alba, Curlew Sandpiper Erolia ferrugines, Dunlin Ereunetes alpines. Gulls and Terns Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica, Caspian Gull Hydroprogne caspia, River Tern Sterna aurantia, Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida, Heuglin’s Gull Larus fuscus heuglini, Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicaphalus, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus.

than in the morning hours. The birds would species, variety of waders, kites, , leave their roost at dawn in a more or less egrets, ducks, etc. similar sequence suggested by Bharos (2018). Our aim was to determine the birds’ The recorded birds were grouped into roost and nests at and around the dam, Resident (R) and Migratory (M) categories. which revealed the roosting of Greater Short- IUCN Global conservation status was worked toed Lark, Green Bee-eaters, certain Harrier out in the following categories only: (VU)

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Table 5. The roosting species recorded at the study area.

Category Species Wintering ducks and waders, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Pochard Aythyaferina, Garganey Spatula Aquatic querquedula, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. Wintering, Near Aquatic Pallid harrier Circus macrourus, Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus, Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos, Montagau’s Harrier Accipiter badius, Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla. Arboreal Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis, Black Kite Milvus migrans.

Table 6. Species recorded nesting in the study area.

Place of nesting Species In plains, trees, bushes Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto, Laughing Dove Streptopelia surrounding the dam senegalensis, Little ringed Plover Charadrius dubius (Bharos et al. 2019) being the first nesting report from Chhattisgarh), Yellow-wattled LapwingVanellus malarbaricus, Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus. The Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus has also been recorded nesting in winter from Chhattisgarh (Bharos & Sahu 2002), which was found nesting in January at Kurud Dam, House Crows Corvus splendens, Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus, Red Avadavat Amandava amandava, Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica, Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Ashy crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix griseus in April, Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis, Plain Prinia Prinia inornata . Old ruins Spotted Owlet Athene brama

Feeding Guild of the Birds.

Vulnuerable (NT) Near Threatened (LC) Least To determine the feeding guild behavior Concerned, according to the IUCN Red we keenly and closely observed the birds Data Book (Birdlife International 2014-2015), with the aid of binoculars and camera, Rahmani (2012), Rahmani et al. (2018). The documented observed details, identified nomenclature of the avifauna was done the probable food resource at and around following Praveen et al. (2016). the feeding / foraging site of respective

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Table 7. The feeding guild categorization of the birds according to the foraging behaviour.

Guild Type Description Remarks Carnivorous The birds of this category mostly feed on , Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans was observed , frog, lizards, small rodents (Patten feeding on Pila globosa and Lamellidens 1906; Ali & Ripley 1987). The birds included in marginalis. We observed certain Raptors viz. this category were also found/observed feeding Osprey feeding on fishes, Marsh Harrier preying on mollusc, fishes, crabs, rodents, , on smaller aquatic birds, and Common Kestrel reptiles etc. were considered in this category. was found predating over frogs & lizards, and considered them in this category. Frugivorous Birds that prominently feed on fruits were Which includes Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, considered in this category. Rose-ringed Parakeets etc. recorded at Kurud Dam. Their prime feeding selection was Ficus species. Granivorous Birds that primarily feed on grains, were This includes Scaly-breasted Munia, Indian considered in this category. Silverbill, Red Avadavat, House Sparrows, Baya Weave were also recorded at Kurud Dam area. Insectivorous Birds found feeding on , larvae of insects, Birds like Green Bee-eaters were found/observed weevils, minor crabs, mollusc, etc. feeding on Odonata. Flycatchers, Larks, Pipits, were observed feeding on Diptera, Hemiptera, Stoneflies, Odonata at Kurud Dam area. Nectarivorous Birds that fed on nectar of the flower. Sunbirds were most commonly found feeding on the nectar of the flower. Omnivorous We handled the omnivorous guild behavior in a Ducks and Geese were seen diving, dabbling, and broad range the birds (including ducks) that feed foraging on these food resources. on Aquatic plants / parts of plants; inclusively (some of them) also feed on shrimps, mollusc, certain aquatic insects and other aquatic minor . Piscivorous Birds that primarily feed on fishes. Cormorants, Skimmer, Kingfishers, etc.

individual species, these sample specimens Grassland & Arboreal (GA) 98 species. were compared and identified with standard Here is a breakup of the species recorded literatures—Patten (1906), Mukherjee (1969- from each of the 61 families from this study: 71) Ali & Ripley (1987), Perrow (1997), and Anatidae 14 (7.33%), Phasianidae 3 (1.57%), Jha (2013). Podicipedidae 2 (1.05%), Columbidae 3 (1.57%), Caprimulgidae 1 (0.52%), Apodidae 2 (1.05%), Cuculidae 4 (2.09%), Rallidae Observations 6 (3.14%), Ciconiidae 4 (2.09%), Ardeidae This study recorded a total of191 bird 12 (6.28%), Threskiornithidae 3 (1.57%), species belonging to 16 orders and 61 Phalacrocoracidae 3 (1.57%), Anhingidae families (Table 1). Out of these 191 species, 1 (0.52%), Recurvirostridae 1 (0.52%), 111 species were Resident (R), 80 species Charadriidae 7 (3.66%), Rostratulidae 1 were Migratory (M) observed mostly in winter. (0.52%), Jacanidae 3 (1.57%), Scolopacidae The total 191 species were also categorized 19 (9.95%), Turnicidae 1 (0.52%), Glareolidae according to their habit into—Aquatic (A) 17 2 (1.05%), Laridae 5 (2.62%), Pandionidae 1 species, Near aquatic (NA) 76 Species, and (0.52%), Accipitridae 9 (4.71%),Tytonidae 1

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Table 8. Available food and habitat resources of the birds at study 1(0.52%), Motacillidae area. 8 (4.19%), Fringillidae 1 (0.52%), Emberizidae Aquatic Plants Insects 3 (1.57%), Alaudidae 6 Aponogeton natans Pond skater (3.14%), Cisticolidae 4 Hydrilla verticellata Water nymph Marselia minuta Water beetle (2.09%), Locustellidae 1 Najas marina Fishes (0.52%), Acrocephalidae Nymphaea rubra Rohu 4 (2.09%), Hirundinidae 4 Vallisneria spiralis Katla (2.09%), Pycnonotidae 1 Shrubs / stands ^ Loaches (0.52%), Phylloscopidae Ipomoea carnea Amphibians 1 (0.52%), Sylviidae 1 Prosporis juliflora Bullfrog (0.52%), Timaliidae 1 Typha latifolia Common Toad (0.52%), Leiothrichidae 2 * Trees (1.05%), Sturnidae 4 (2.09%), ^ Served as hide-out nesting and Aegele marmelos roosting sites for few birds. Muscicapidae 9 (4.71%). Azadirachta indica * These trees served for perching, roosting, nesting, and also as food Out of the 61 families Bombax ceiba resource. following 10 families found Ficus benghalensis ^^ Served as good abode for grass birds. dominant were, Scolopacidae Ficus religiosa 19 species (9.95%), Anatidae Mangifera indica (0.52%), Strigidae 1 (0.52%), 14 (7.33%), Ardeidae 12 Phoenix sylvestris Bucerotidae 1 (0.52%), Psidium gujava (6.28%), Accipitridae 9 Upupidae 1 (0.52%), Picidae Tamarindus indicus (4.71%), Muscicapidae 1 (0.52%), Ramphastidae Vachellia nilotica 9 (4.71%), Motacillidae 8 1 (0.52%), Meropidae 1 Zizhyphus mauritiana (4.19%), Rallidae 6 (3.14%), ^^ (0.52%) , Coraciidae 1 Grasses Alaudidae 6 (3.14%), Laridae Cynodon dactylon (0.52%) Alcedinidae 3 5 (2.62%), Laniidae 5 Cyperus iria (1.57%), Falconidae 1 (2.62%). Digitaria sanguinalis (0.52%), Psittaculidae 2

^^ Cultivation (1.05%), Campephagidae Threatened Species: Out of Maize 1 (0.52%), Oriolidae 1 the 191 species 11 Species Paddy (0.52%), Vangidae 1 (0.52%), were found under different Reptiles Aegithinidae 1 (0.52%), threatened categories of Chequered Keelback Dicruridae 1 (0.52%), IUCN Red List, (Table 3) Common Skink Laniidae 5 (2.62%), Corvidae Garden Lizard Rahmani (2012), Rahmani et House Gecko 2 (1.05%), Monarchidae al. (2018). Mollusc 1 (0.52%), Nectariniidae Pila globosa 1 (0.52%), Ploceidae Passerby species Lamellidens marginalis 1 (0.52%), Estrildidae Some of the passerby Bellamaya bengalensis 4 (2.09%), Passeridae species observed at arrival

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during September–November and departure in April and May were as per Table 4.

Roosting Some of the roosting species at and around the dam as found are mentioned in Table 5.

Nesting The species found nesting were as per Table 6.

Food base Working with the food resource available Wader Congregation. at and around Kurud Dam utilized by 191 species, were categorized according to their feeding guild as follows:

48 carnivorous species, four frugivorous species, eight granivorous species, 44 insectivorous species, one nectarivorous species, 83 omnivorous species, 03 carnivorous / pisivorous species were recorded, following Patten (1906), Mukherji (1969–71) Subramanyam (1962), Ali & Ripley (1987), Perrow (1997), Jha (2013), Bux and Migratory Tufted Ducks. Acharya (2017).

The feeding guild according to foraging behavior found: We did see the feeding bird(s) but did not examine their gut, but presumably on later examination of their feeding grounds we concluded the guild behavior (Table 7), and the available food and habitat resource (Table 8).

Result and Discussion The study site was visited since 2007 but more intensively from 2015 to 2019. The Aquatic vegetation. observed 191 bird species belonging to 16

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order and 61 families were categorized into Bharos, A.M.K. & M. Sahu (2002). Breeding by the resident and migratory; and according to Indian Courser in winter in Raipur District. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 99(2): 299. their habit aquatic, near aquatic, grassland & arboreal; and according to the feeding guild Bharos, A.M.K., F. Bux, R. Singh & A. Bharos behavior into carnivorous, insectivorous, (2019). First Nesting Record of Little Ringed Plover nectarivorous, omnivorous, piscivorous, (Charadrius dubius) From Chhattisgarh, Cheetal, 56(1): 52–58, (ISSN: 0528-9122) granivorous, and frugivorous. Eleven species fall within the categories of threatened Bibby, C.J., N.D. Burgess & A. Hill (1992). Bird species of IUCN Red list viz. vulnerable four Census Techniques, Academic Press, U.K. Pp-257. species, and seven near threatened. Our Bux, F. & V. Acharya (2017). Aquatic Macrophytes study documents the size and structure of of Khandwa Pond and Sendh Pond, Naya Raipur, the Kurud Dam avian community, which Chhattisgarh, Indian Journal of Applied & Pure affords ample food resource. The studies Biology, 32(2): 245–254. on passerby, roosting, and nesting species Chandra, K. & R.K. Singh (2004). Avifauna of were also undertaken to ascertain a better Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Zoo’s Print picture of the wetland’s status and the birds it Journal 19(7): 1534–1539. carries. Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (1998). Birds of the India Sub Continent, Oxford University Press, Through this study we have tried to fill the Pp-466. gap and expect that it will serve as the Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2014). Birds baseline data for Kurud Dam. Being a prime of the , Oxford University Press. and potential wetland of central Chhattisgarh, Pp-528

this study shall also support ornithological IUCN Red Data List https://www.iucnredlist.org, studies and conservation issues in the near Last accessed on 08 February 2020. future. Javed, S. & R. Kaul (2002). Field Methods for Bird Services, Indian Bird Conservation Network, Bombay Natural History Society. 64.

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Rahmani A.R., A.M.K. Bharos, A. Manadvia, A. Citation: Bharos, A.M.K., F. Bux, A. Bharos & J. Vishwakarma & A. Bharos (2018). Threatened Verma (2020). Status and composition of avifauna Birds of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh Wildlife Society, in Kurud Dam, Raipur District - Chhattisgarh, India. Raipur, 156pp. Bird-o-soar #48, In: Zoo’s Print 35(6): 05–21.

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